CHICAGO
Barack Obama will begin receiving highly classified briefings from top intelligence officials Thursday, as the rush of his campaign gives way to intensive preparations to take over as commander in chief and build a Democratic administration.
The briefings typically last 45 minutes to an hour, but Obama's initial one is expected to be longer. A U.S. intelligence official speaking on condition of anonymity said Joe Biden, the vice president-elect, also will begin receiving briefings this week.
The president's daily brief that Obama will receive is mostly written by the Central Intelligence Agency and will include the most critical overnight intelligence for the president. They sometimes dig deeply into a specific topic to give the president an in-depth understanding.
Obama began his first full day as president-elect with the simple pleasure of having breakfast with his daughters, the type of everyday activity with his family that he often said during the nearly two-year campaign was his greatest sacrifice.
Later in the morning, Obama left the house alone, clad in workout clothes, a ball cap and sunglasses and carrying a newspaper on his lap. He ducked into a friend's apartment building where he usually uses the gym while in Chicago. About a dozen onlookers expecting his arrival had gathered with cameras and cell phones to get a glimpse of him.
He planned to go straight to his campaign headquarters after the work out to thank his staff.
Obama planed to stay home at least through the weekend, spending more time with his family turning to the business of the transition in earnest. Campaign advisers have already presented him with names to review for key positions, but they said he wasn't focused on filling the jobs before winning the election.
A top priority, the advisers said, would be picking a White House chief of staff to help manage the selections to come. Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel appeared headed for the job, said Democrats who spoke on condition of anonymity before the announcement, expected as early as Wednesday.
National Intelligence Director Michael McConnell will launch the intelligence briefings. CIA Intelligence Director Mike Morell will be Obama's prime contact with the intelligence community throughout the transition, according to a message CIA Director Mike Hayden sent to agency employees that was obtained by The Associated Press. Obama's two principal daily briefers also will be from the CIA.
Obama will have access to vastly more intelligence, including ongoing covert operations, than he was privy to as a senator, said Hayden's message.
"Through expanded access, greater than what he had in his briefings as a candidate or as a Senator, he will see the full range of capabilities we deploy for the United States," Hayden wrote.
CIA officials were meeting Wednesday to discuss the transition.
"The goal today is to review what has been done and to ensure that every part of the agency is well-placed to contribute in the weeks ahead," he wrote.
Hayden also encouraged employees to ignore the chatter in political circles in Washington about who will take over the agency under the new administration.
"I certainly have," he said. "Those privileged to lead this organization understand that they serve at the pleasure of the president."
In a congratulatory call to Obama Tuesday night, President Bush pledged to make a smooth transition and extended an invitation to the Obama family to visit their new home at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Obama had personal decisions to be make, too, like when to move his family to Washington and where his 10- and 7-year-old daughters will go to school. Obama also was expected to take time to mourn his grandmother, who died Sunday before she could see the grandson she helped raise achieve his dream. Obama could be considering a return to his native Hawaii for the small private ceremony that she requested be held later.
And then there was the matter of choosing the family pet. "Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House," he told his daughters in his victory speech.
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getcloser2god
Thank you
Until we have the ...to tell them there jokes and comments are offensive they will keep doing it..
HATRED IN AMERICA
Negative comments about our next president has become sickening. Racist seem to think their negative comments will change the face of the election....how funny, you really need to just get over yourself!
Blacks are not the only ones who voted for Obama, honest, hardworking Americans put him into office. Racist have been proven to be the minority in this country and that is a very good thing.
This election was won fair and square...and with so much dignity and grace.
I am in the military and you would be surprised how many senior officers had negative comments about Obama after the election.....America is a racist country still and the world is watching our reaction to this. If you are proud to be an American show some respect for the next President or make up your mind to leave the country! It is what it is!
demosthenes
Awesome comment - I completely agree!
memo to ksterbritz & Sarah Palin
Africa is a continent within whose borders lies many nations.
just the truth,
were you asleep through all of your history classes? Or were you 1 that took "His Story"? It must be the latter, since you believe that Blacks not voting was only a matter of personal choice. Obviously you know nothing of the poll tax, literacy test & Grandfather Clause. These are some of the methods used to suppress the Black vote, after 1870. Let us not forget the outright intimidation that was used. Why do you think a Voting Rights Act had to be passed in the '60s? Learn facts; perhaps it may prevent such silly statements.
Snowfire's correction
I did not say that "all" or even "most" voted for him. But the fact is that a majority did. However, I do aknowledge the importance of the fact that it was a close vote. The largest group of people in this country are grouped around the divide between the left and right. The elected leaders must keep this in mind and stay away from devisive policies that venture too far in either direction. This is the key "message" that Americans have voiced this election.
Media Bias
I had CNN on this morning (why, I have no idea). I was amazed at the reporting of Obama's upcoming visit to the White House. The CNN reporter said, "President-elect Obama will be visiting the White House at the invitation of Mr. Bush...". Mr.?? It was no mistake because during this report, this same reporter referred to President Bush as "Mr." three different times, yet never referred to Senator Obama as "Senator". Wow. So CNN views our current President as "Mr." and Senator Obama as "President-elect".
differing views
I kept a copy of the papers from the Bush/Gore election mess. I pulled them out and read over the various headlines. One common thing: Bush won by 51% and that election was viewed as "dividing" our nation. Fast-forward to this election. Obama won by 53% and this election has "united" the nation. Guess that 2% is the "dividing" line.
A point to make. - Correction
He was elected because SOME Americans decided that the government was not working for them the way it ought to, and therefore SOME Americans wanted to change those who work for us.
Democrats heralded the popular vote over and over and over in 2000 - let us not forget that 46% of Americans voted for "the other guy", which is certainly no landslide victory.
A point to make.
I do wish we would stop referring to President-elect Obama as an "african-american" As President Roosevelt said "There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism." He is an American, who is going to be President, who just happens to be of a race that is different than the other 43 before him. Yes it is historic, but to truly close the divide, we need to get past emphasizing differences and highlight the commonalities. He was elected because many Americans decided that the government was not working for them the way it ought to, and therefore we Americans wanted to change those who work for us.
Len Rothman
You are correct sir!
You Can't blame a President
Seriously people! You can't blame or commend a current presidnet or president-elect on how the economy is doing. The president does not have that much power, influence, etc... on the economy. It's not the government's or president's fault for companies making poor business decisions. Example, Circuit City is going belly up. Is that because of the government or the Iraq war? Or is it because Circuit City has poor inventory, poor pricing strategies, poor store locations, etc...?
I don't know why everyone is getting swept up with what Bush did or didn't do to the economy. Obama can't save the economy overnight like so many are hoping for. This will take a long, long time to sort out. It needs to start with restricting credit for people who should not be issued credit in the first place. If everyone takes a hard look at what they can "need" not what they "want" or what some salesman says they can afford that would be a start in the right direction for the economy.
re: DO you think
mykahl123 wrote:
>>>You know..
I really wonder, with all the beef with Obama, McCain, everyone, Would it be this dramatic if Obama was a White demarcate name John smith?
I dont think we would have this same discussion!<<<
You bet we would. Had Obama been a blonde-haired, fair-skinned male model I would have still fought his election.
A Marxist is a Marxist...
Re: mentiroso4u
It's a proven fact Wall Street reacts in one manner or another immediately after a Presidential election. I will concede Obama isn't necessarily to blame, but since most of Wall Street losses and gains are based on perceptions, the major drop certainly speaks volumes.
I Don't Get It
Ok, Palin was burned in the press about the money she spent on her wardrobe...This was bad? Mrs Obama is getting a whole new wardrobe makeover with my tax money....This is Good??? Im declaring banckrupcy in the new year because i nolonger can even pay for milk...This is bad/sad.
Obama, useing my taxes, is going to put a new basketball court in the White house...this is Good???
I thought that there would be change. But it sounds like to me they are starting out thier 4years with a spending spree.....oh ya its not thier money they are spending, i forgot how easy it is to spend money when its not comeing from you. does the word hypocrite mean anything. Get ready America, hold on tight we are going on a roller coaster ride. And the person who holds the purse strings is already spending the money before he is even in the house.
Obama Black and White
Who cares what color he is Obama represents the best of us all. Our kids don't see color and neither should we...Families today are mixed by marriage and adoption...I don't care if he's purple. He stands for the people not special interest. Every color is affected by the housing mess and deregulation...The FDA approves medical devices and drugs without clinical trials or testing 501K approval that kills people everyday...So a select few can get wealthier exploiting the public who elects them to protect us...I judged him by his character and integrity. It would be impossible to keep up with everything that is happening in politics/congress ect. While having a career and family.. We have to be able to trust the integrity of our elected officials…..And for the first time in a long time I have hope..
Change is Coming
Theres no need to be alarmed about the changes in the US; they have been engineered by the federal government for the past 44 years. It is called population replacement. The US population from the nation's founding to 1965, has remained around 90% white. The 1965 Immigration Act(thanks Ted Kennedy!) slowed European immigration to a trickle, and opened the floodgates for 3rd world migrants and refugees. This, combined with the refusal of the feds to seal our borders, has caused a massive and sudden demographic shift in the US. With the US Refugee Resettlement Council now dumping refugees into ever smaller towns and rural areas(why would they do that?), America as we knew it has vanished. I'm not certain when the empty shell of "multiculturalism" became policy, but it has replaced the core value system that unites us all as Americans. Anyway, it will be an interesting 4 years.
DO you think
You know..
I really wonder, with all the beef with Obama, McCain, everyone, Would it be this dramatic if Obama was a White demarcate name John smith?
I dont think we would have this same discussion!
I dont think so
stock market drops??
I have been seeing people mention the stock market dropping to its lowest point just days after the election. Let me ask you...who is president right now? Would you not be blaming Bush had Obama not been elected? I wouldnt say its Obama's fault or actions as to why the market is in the position it's in. The fault can go to Bush and him putting millions of dollars in a non-progressive war on two different fronts. I just wanna say lighten up on blaming Obama for stuff that's going on when he cant even act as president as of now. You all need to rationalize your thoughts and comments before you post them.
And out of the gate.....
From today's CNN Money: "The Dow had slumped nearly 500 points Wednesday as President-elect Barack Obama's historic victory gave way to worries about the economy he inherits. Those same worries continued to drag on stocks Thursday.
"Everything is so dismal right now, It's just an endless flow of bad news and no one wants to buy," said Dave Rovelli, managing director of U.S. equity trading at Canaccord Adams."
Anyone care to wager it gets a lot worse before it gets any better??